Device for storing toy logs and loading toy cars therewith



March 2, 1943. R. G. SMITH 2,312,450

DEVICE FOR STORING TOY LOGSQAND LOADING TOY CARS THEREWITH Filed April 20, 1940 'INVENTOR fi/c/mw 6. 5mm

ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 2, 1943 UNITED STATES FA'E'EN'E.

zsnasc @FFECE DEVEGE FOR STORING TOY oos AND Loanmo 'rov CARS 'rnnanwrrn Application April 20, 1940, Serial No. 339,672

l Claims. (01. 21 ll) The present invention relates to devices for storing toy logs and loading toy cars therewith.

In my copending application executed and filed concurrently herewith entitled Unloading toy vehicles and operating devices for the same, Serial No. 330,673, filed April 20, 1940, I have shown a toy car adapted to carry logs and having unloading mechanism. The present invention relates to the loading of the logs in the car so that a toy train outfit may be provided wherein logs or the like may be loaded onto the car at one place along the track and transported to another place along the track and there unloaded.

According to the present invention, the logs, or other round objects having a tendency to roll down an incline, are supported on an inclined platform above the car level and to one side of the track and suitable mechanism is provided whereby the logs may be kept on the platform until the car is in position to receive them and then released to roll onto the car. As the play value of the toy requires the ability to store more logs than a car can carry away, the platform is long so as to resemble a skidway, and suitable means are provided to check the rolling of the logs and only allow a small number to pass off the platform onto the car at one time.

Other and further objects will hereinafter appear as the description proceeds.

The accompanying drawing shows, for purposes of illustrating the present invention, one of the many embodiments in which the invention may take form, it being understood that the drawing is illustrative of the invention rather than limiting the same.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional View taken through the device and looking in the direction of the arrow 2 of Figure 1, the parts being shown in full lines in the normal position and in dotted lines in the position assumed when the logs are discharged;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 2 showing the position of par after a load of logs has been discharged;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2 with parts broken away showing the operation of parts when the car moves to the right; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view showing the operation of the parts when the car moves to the left.

A conventional toy railroad track is indicated at IE and a toy car at l I. This car is of the type shown in the application above referred to, and has upwardly extending stakes l2, l2 and l3, 13 adapted to support a load of logs as will be understood. The car is also provided with a laterally disposed shoe M for a purpose to be described.

The track H3 is supported on an extension l5 carried by a device is made to simulate a holder or skidway for logs. This holder has an upper downwardly sloping platform I! so that legs L placed on the platform will tend to roll toward the track. The logs are prevented from rolling off the platform by a pair of stakes, l8, l8 which extend upwardly as indicated. These stakes are connected together by a strap-like element l9 which has forwardly extending cars 20, 20 passing through openings 21, 2| in the device it and adapted to form pivots about which the stakes can turn when they swing from the vertical position of Figure 2 to the horizontal dot and dash line position. The connecting piece or strap It has a hook-like extension 22 which supports the free end of alever 23 pivoted at 24 and having a weight 25 tending to hold it in the lower position. When in this position the stakes l8 are held vertical. When the lever 23 is lifted by means to be described the left end of the lever 23 is moved up, as indicated in Figures 2 and 3, and this permits the stakes 18 to swing down. The lever 23 carries two upwardly extending check devices 26 which pass through holes 21 in the platform and stop the logs above them so that they cannot roll off the platform. This is shown in Figure 3.

The lever 23 is moved up by rod 28 connected to crank 25: carried on a shaft 3!] which extends out under the tracks as shown. The exposed end of the shaft 30 carries an arm 31 and this arm pivotally carries a finger-piece 32 which extends up so as to be in the path of the car carried shoe Hi. When the car is proceeding to the right in Figure to the left in Figure 1,

the shoe M engages the finger-piece 32 and moves it to the dot-and-dash line position o Figure d thereby causing the crank 29 to move up and the rod 28 to lift the lever 23. At this time the logs below the obstruction 26 roll off the platform over the stakes and fall on to the car. Should the car proceed in the other direction, or to the left as shown in Figure 5, the shoe M will engage the upper end of the finger 32 and tilt it, as indicated in the dot-and-dash lines, without operating the shaft 30. The finger is weighted as indicated at 33 so that it will fall back to the proper position and a stop device 34 prevents its being turned too far when the car is traveling to the left in Figure 5.

It is obvious that the invention may be embodied in many forms and constructions within the scope of the claims and I wish it to be under stood that the particular form shown is but one of the many forms. Various modifications and changes being possible, I do not otherwise limit myself in any way with respect thereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A toy for storing and delivering toy logs and the like, said toy comprising a, sloping log supporting platform, stop means normally extending upwardly along the lower part o the platform and against which the logs roll and releasable to free the logs for rolling downwardly, and a check device spaced from the stop means and movable upwardly when the stop means is released to check the rolling of logs more remote from the stop means whereby a limited portion of the logs in the platform may be dischargd at a time, the stop means comprising stakes and means for normally locking them in a vertical position, the stakes whenrelea'sed being swung downwardly by the pressure of the logs behind them, the stake locking means being operated by the check device.

2. A toy such as claimed in claim 1, having a singlefwei'ght which must be lifted to release the stop means and move the check device and which restores the stop means and check device to normal position when released.

3. In combination, a sloping log supporting platform, movable stakes at the bottom of the platform, means to lock the stakes in vertical position to prevent logs rolling off the platform, and means to, unlock the stakes so that they may swing outwardly by pressure developed by the logs behind them, the stakes forming a roll- Way beyond the bottom of the platform, said locking means being movable upwardly to release the stakes and having normally non-obstructing log checking devices which move upwardly to obstruct logs a predetermined distance back of the stakes.

4. A toy comprising a toy track, a toy car carried thereon, a sloping platform disposed to one side of the track and adapted to support toy logs or the like at an elevation above the car, stakes carried at the lower end of the platform and pivoted to swing downwardly and outwardly, means for normally locking the stakes in a substantially vertical position, means to unlock the stakes. so thatthey may swing down to provide a runway to deliver logs onto the car, and log obstructing device's normally below the platform and interconnected with the unlocking means to be lift- ,able thereby before the stakes are released to be in the path of the logs so that only the logs below the obstructing devices may be discharged into the car.

RICHARD G. SMITH. 

